Originally appeared at ZeroHedge
The Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter has suffered a long list of problems that we’ve frequently noted. Now a new report from Bloomberg, citing a Pentagon annual assessment, specifies how the stealth fighters can’t shoot straight.
The Pentagon has already spent upwards of $428 billion on the F-35 program, which will cost taxpayers $1.5 trillion over its 55-year lifespan.
Already, there have been a host of problems with the stealth fighters, including more than 800 software errors.
And the newest problem: A General Dynamics GAU-12/U Equalizer, a five-barrel 25 mm Gatling-type rotary cannon, mounted on some F-35s, has “unacceptable” accuracy of hitting ground targets.
The Pentagon’s new report said the Air Force’s cannon mounted inside the plane, has “unacceptable” accuracy due to “misalignments” in the gun’s mount that didn’t meet specifications.
The report also said mounts for the cannons are cracking, forcing the Air Force to limit the weapon’s use. The F-35 program office has “made progress with changes to the gun installation” to improve accuracy.
The report notes 873 software errors in the plane, as of 4Q19. The good news, it’s down from 917 in 3Q18.
“Although the program office is working to fix deficiencies, new discoveries are still being made, resulting in only a minor decrease in the overall number” and leaving “many significant,” the assessment said.
There was also mention that the planes could be susceptible to cybersecurity “vulnerabilities.”
Here are other unresolved glitches of the F-35 program that we mentioned last year (the partial list via Defense News):
- When the F-35B vertically lands on very hot days, older engines may be unable to produce the required thrust to keep the jet airborne, resulting in a hard landing.
- After doing certain maneuvers, F-35B and F-35C pilots are not always able to completely control the aircraft’s pitch, roll and yaw.
- Supersonic flight in excess of Mach 1.2 can cause structural damage and blistering to the stealth coating of the F-35B and F-35C.
- Cabin pressure spikes in the cockpit of the F-35 have been known to cause barotrauma, the word given to extreme ear and sinus pain.
- The spare parts inventory shown by the F-35’s logistics system does not always reflect reality, causing occasional mission cancellations.
- If the F-35A and F-35B blows a tire upon landing, the impact could also take out both hydraulic lines and pose a loss-of-aircraft risk.
- Possible maneuvering issues when the aircraft is operating above a 20-degree angle of attack.
- The F-35’s logistics system currently has no way for foreign F-35 operators to keep their secret data from being sent to the United States.
Despite the ongoing problems that many F-35s are not combat-ready and have many issues that are putting American pilots in severe disadvantages for a dogfight, Congress continues to order more planes.
As of 3Q19, the F-35 program has 490 planes, many of which could be suffering from computer errors and guns that don’t hit targets.
hahahaha good
read my comment above
So much for the zios invincibility how pathetic but hey all is well
If someone would look into the costs, they might find luxury goods, property, bribes etc as well as amounts unacounted for. I think this program with its budget is a cover for black projects.
In the old days the pentagon used to call the inaccuracies ‘collateral damage’.
This doesn’t add up. One doesn’t spend nearly 500 billion on a fighter which doesn’t even shoot straight. Either this report is bogus, as Bloomberg can no longer be trusted with journalism, and the money is being spent secretly on other projects, or the F-35 is an overrated piece of rubbish and everyone involved should be sacked and investigations started.
This does surprise me as the Brits nailed the stability problems decades ago. The US airforce even had some Harriers, yet still couldn’t work it all out.
Could you imagine the non stop articles in Western media dishing out riddicule if this mechanical nightmare had been produced by Russia. Why any other nation would purchase these bucket of bolts is beyond me, Turkey escaped a bullet when they bought the s400 and the U.S said they couldn’t have the F35 … I bet the Turks are grinning like a cheshire cat!
That would be fixed after a while, but the flaw of stealth paint falling at high speeds, is much more serious issue & so far no fix released for that. Another serious issue is that ultra high tech paint was detected by 1970s analog radar technology, same as no fixing found so far.
You can lough, but yanks will correct this problem.
while russian until today were not able to correct the same problem. therefore 1 of their important aircraft does not use the bult-in 20 mm machine gun. try to find out, which type? :)